DELIVERY SCAM ROBS WINE BOUND FOR THE RITZ

Published: 23 July, 2008

By Jack Hibberd

Patriarche Wine Agencies, the UK offshoot of the Burgundy ngociant, has had over 60,000 of wine (including duty) stolen in a delivery scam. The stolen consignment includes a Ritz NV label, Jacquart Brut Mosaque NV, Vintage '96 and Ros NV. According to Patriarche's managing director and buyer, Keith Isaac MW, the driver of the lorry carrying the wines was told to unload around the corner from the official destination, the Anglo depot in West Thurrock. He did so, having been warned this might be the case at the Belvedere depot, where he called first. The wine then vanished. We have used Freight Transport for some time and never had a problem,' said Isaac. They say they have never encountered this problem in 18 years' trading. It's a simple scam that anyone could fall for. The Ritz label is clearly the wine most likely to arouse suspicion, as we ship it only for the Ritz Hotel,' Isaac added. On this order were bottles and halves of NV and some Ros.' Anyone in the trade who is offered these wines in suspicious circumstances is asked to contact Patriarche on 020 7381 4016; e-mail: keith@patriarchewines.com

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